On today's episode we are joined by cinematographer David McFarland. He was the DP for 12 Mighty Orphans (starring Luke Wilson). The film premiered at Tribeca earlier this month and is now in wide release. I had such a great time talking with David about his work and I can't wait to see what projects he has in store for us in the future. Thanks for listening!

One of my favorite cinematic experiences from the past few months was the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. This was the first time I had covered the festival and I was completely blown away. The staggering amount of beautiful films there is an understatement. One of my favorite documentaries there was My Rembetika Blues. Remebetika is a form of music I had never heard of before but instantly feel in love with it. It was amazing to be able to talk with filmmaker Mary Zournazi about the project. Thanks for listening!

On Episode 30 of the Salt Lake Dirt Podcast we talk with filmmaker Michelle Bossy. She directed UNDER THE LANTERN LIT SKY which recently had its world premiere at the 2021 Brooklyn Film Festival. If you are a fan of A Streetcar Named Desire, this is a film you don't want to miss. 

Great chat! Thanks for listening!

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FILM SYNOPSIS: Under the Lantern Lit Sky explores the new marriage of a young couple in 1930s Mississippi who in different ways are coming to terms with their sexuality. (Source: michellebossy.com)

On this episode of the Salt Lake Dirt Podcast, we talk to Scott Aharoni & Dennis Latos of Duo Entertainment about their short film LEYLAK which recently played in-person at the Tribeca Film Festival. The festival is running their shorts selection online through June 23, 2021 so there is still time to catch this incredible film. Thanks for listening!

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"In present-day Queens, a Turkish gravedigger (Nadir Saribacak) is unable to face a shattering truth and risks losing the dearest connection left in his life." (Source: Duo Entertainment)

One of the stand out films of this year's Brooklyn Film Festival was American Desert. On this episode of the podcast I spoke with Adrian Bartol (writer/director) and Will Brandt (lead actor) about their process for developing this incredibly important film. 

Thanks for listening!

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FILM SYNOPSIS: It's 2010, Matt Benning (Will Brandt) 24, has returned from Afghanistan  to a wrecked economy. Demons of war haunt him, a romance blossoms, all  as he drags his unwilling soul to normalcy. But for him, destiny is no  cookie  cutter house. A vortex of drug use and violence corners him into  working for a psychopathic meth dealer. His only escape then becomes  surrendering to the majestic and unforgiving isolation of the American  Desert... (Source: american-desert.com)

I'm very excited to announce that Jeff Seal's latest docu-comedy series is available in full on his YouTube channel. I had such a great time talking with Jeff about comedy, filmmaking, and of course, clowning. Thanks for listening!

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"Echoing satirical muckraking efforts such as Michael Moore’s Roger and Me, New York’s Worst Landlords began as an attempt to interview the worst offenders on the New York City Advocate’s Office annual Worst Landlord Watchlist, which catalogs the worst repeat landlord offenders in New York City’s cutthroat and unaffordable rental market. The filmmakers were inspired in part by the Unsheltered series of articles in the NY Times about vulnerable New Yorkers being forced out of their rent-stabilized apartments by unscrupulous landlords." (SOURCE: Shark Party Media - Press Release)

The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival runs through May 30th. One of the films that stood out to me was Witchin'. I absolutely loved this film and was thrilled when I was able to speak with the filmmaker Christina Diamantara. Keep an eye for her future work! 

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Christina Recommends:

Seven Minutes of Soul

Kyler Recommends:

My Rembetika Blues

Alicia Robbins lighting tutorial (Grey's Anatomy)

I was thrilled when Howard Paar agreed to talk with me about his new novel Top Rankin' (out May 11, 2021 on Rare Bird). Howard has had (and continues to have) an incredible career in the music business. He primarily works as a music supervisor for major motion pictures. Click HERE to learn more about Howard's amazing work in music.

Top Rankin' is a ska noir novel. I've never read anything quite like it and I loved it for that. It combines so many things that I have a passion for (noir, ska & punk music, etc.) and does it well!

When you read Top Rankin' make sure you play it's accompanying Spotify playlist. Fantastic music that follows the narrative of the book!

Thanks for listening! Kyler Bingham @saltlakedirt

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"Howard Paar is an award winning music supervisor who was born and raised in London before continuing his career in Los Angeles. He has won Guild Of Music Supervisors Awards in 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2020 respectively for Diary Of A Teenage Girl, 20th Century Women, Before I Fall and Native Son. He is a proud member of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Class of 2017." (HowardPaar.com)

On this episode of the podcast we have stand-up comedian Jessica Watkins. Jessica self-produced the documentary film SPECIALish (available now on VOD) about her experience walking across America performing stand-up gigs along the way.  It won Best Film at Broad Humor Festival and at New Filmmakers Festival NYC. I loved the film! It packs a powerful punch -- hilarious, personal, and moving. I had a blast talking with Jessica and I look forward to seeing more from her in the future.

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